noun

gendarme

zhon-DAHM

Gendarme (noun) means a member of a military force assigned to police duties, especially in France. Example: “A gendarme directed traffic around the accident.”

noun

A member of a military force assigned to police duties, especially in France.

"A gendarme directed traffic around the accident."

A tall, narrow rock formation along a mountain ridge, resembling a standing sentry.

"Climbers had to scramble around the gendarme near the summit."

How to use gendarme

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA French military police officer, or a rock spire on a mountain ridge.

Word forms

gendarmes plural, gensdarmes plural

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A _____ directed traffic around the accident.

Etymology

From French gendarme, originally a back-formation from gens d'armes, "people of arms."

Origin: French

Frequently asked questions

What does “gendarme” mean?

The word “gendarme” means a member of a military force assigned to police duties, especially in France. In plain terms, a French military police officer, or a rock spire on a mountain ridge.

How do you pronounce “gendarme”?

“Gendarme” is pronounced zhon-DAHM (/ʒɑnˈdɑɹm/ in IPA).

How do you use “gendarme” in a sentence?

Here is “gendarme” used in a sentence: “A gendarme directed traffic around the accident.”

What part of speech is “gendarme”?

“Gendarme” is a noun.

Where does the word “gendarme” come from?

The word “gendarme” comes from French. From French gendarme, originally a back-formation from gens d'armes, "people of arms.".

How many meanings does “gendarme” have?

“Gendarme” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of a military force assigned to police duties, especially in France.